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Victory still elusive for CNMI
CNMI players look on as the ceremonial pitch is thrown during their opening game in the World Baseball Softball Confederation 15-Under Oceania Qualifier against New Zealand last Monday in Guam. (Guam Major League Baseball)
The CNMI is still winless in the World Baseball Softball Confederation 15-Under Oceania Qualifier.
The Commonwealth bets bowed to host Guam yesterday, 1-11, to absorb their fourth straight loss in the three-nation tournament. New Zealand is the third team entered in the competition and holds a 3-1 mark, the same record Guam has.
The CNMI debuted in the tournament last Monday and suffered a 1-18 beating from New Zealand. Albert Adriano scored the lone run for the team, while Dylan Santos and Christopher Gonzales were the pitchers.
For its second game last Tuesday, the CNMI played better, but still fell to Guam, 5-9. The visiting squad managed to tie the game after scoring five goals at the bottom of the second inning before being shut down in the last five. Joel Borja had two RBIs and one run in the loss.
The CNMI then met New Zealand anew last Wednesday and though the former made three early runs, the latter was still able to control the game by firing 15 runs in the first two innings en route to a 20-9 win. The Kiwis finished the game after only four and half innings. Gregorio Pangelinan logged two RBIs in their second outing versus New Zealand, while Joshua Atalig had one RBI.
The CNMI will play New Zealand for the third time today and Guam tomorrow, while the playoff round between the Top 2 teams will be on Sunday. The winner of the qualifier will compete in the World Baseball Softball Confederation 15-Under Oceania Tournament this year.
